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Saturday, September 21, 2013

WAWeekend: Clamming–Can you dig it?


We’ve just returned from Vancouver Island’s West Coast. While there, we decided it might be fun to return during the winter’s stormy season (and when hotel rates were hopefully lower).

But then the voice of travel reason set in and we recalled that trip to our own Washington coast – Copalis Beach –  a winter or two ago. . .

We had a dazzling taste of a winter storm and an equally satisfying taste of the razor clams for which this area is known.  Copalis Beach is less than a three-hour drive from Seattle; not a few hours drive plus a few hours longer ferry ride to return to Tofino, British Columbia.


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Copalis Beach - Washington State
Having watched razor clam diggers at work on Copalis Beach  during our visit, but not quite understanding the what- and how- of what they were doing, we were further tempted to return when we got an email this week from Iron Springs Resort, (where we had stayed on the last trip) about a clam digging activity for folks like us.

Iron Springs Alderbrook 2012 093Actually, the guided Clam Digging Package offered this fall is designed for guests who are newcomers or who could use a few tips for spotting and catching the speedy bivalves:

If you sign up for the package, you’ll be part of a small group and you’ll have. . .

· Official clam digging license, available in the General Store at check in (licenses are required in this state and the cost of the license is extra)

· Digging essentials – clam guns, shovels, clam bags, lanterns and headlamps (Which save you from having to purchase one of those wacky ‘guns’ they sell along the roadside and in shops along the beach).

· Wine or hot cocoa, upon return from the beach (you may be chilled enough to opt for hot cocoa but a celebratory wine sounds good as well!)

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Clam cleaning station - Iron Springs Resort
· Clam cleaning tutorial and tools at the Iron Springs clam cleaning station (a real plus because we watched them do this as well – you need to know what you are doing.)

· Razor clam chowder recipe to prepare in your cabin
(Let me tell you, that if this is the same recipe as the thick, savory chowder served to us during our visit – you will love it!)




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Razor clam chowder - Iron Springs Resort

If You Go:

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Package Details: The package costs $50 per adult and $25 per kid, plus the cost of clamming license and cabin rates (starting at $149 a night), and can be booked through the resort’s reservation desk (1.800.380.7950).

And, of course, the “fine print:” Package is based on availability and the announcement of the official 2013 recreational razor clam season.

Realizing many of you live too far away to participate in the package, there is a recipe for clam chowder included in this post, One “Clam” Good Time. . . and more about  Iron Springs Resort here.

That’s it for now.  Have a great weekend and see you back here on Travel Tuesday when we’ll go ‘Beyond the Bar at Nanaimo’!

16 comments:

  1. Stormy seas and beaches are not for everyone, but I have always been enchanted by these off-season haunts! You had me at the first photo of Copalis Beach, (the name actually sounds very Greek!). Have never had clams; can you believe it?! But this clam chowder might have made me a convert!

    Thanks for sharing your adventure!

    Poppy

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    1. Thanks for visiting Poppy. I hadn't thought about the Greek sound of Copalis Beach until you pointed it out! Have a good weekend!

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  3. Could you one day take me in one of your adventure travels? Your posts are an escape from my routine!

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    1. Oh, and I think of your posts in the same way! Thanks for stopping by today! Have a wonderful week!

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    2. Oh, and I think of your posts in the same way! Thanks for stopping by today! Have a wonderful week!

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  4. Oh how fun!! I would absolutely love this. :-) Clam chowder makes my heart happy. :-)

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    1. I am with you on clam chowder making my heart happy - I just don't think about what it does to the arteries when I eat it! :-)

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  5. How cool this is, Jackie! I'd totally do this. That glass of wine and chowder at the end would make it absolutely worthwhile. Thanks for sharing this amazing experience and for linking up this week.

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    1. Actually I would love to take them up on this as well - if we get back from our big adventure in time, I plan to book a reservation and head there for the experience!

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  6. Oh yummy, I love clams, have always wanted to try digging them up - I think I would probably get addicted since I love everything clammy!

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    1. You would Noel - and what you and your camera could produce on that coast would be magnificent!

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  7. Clam chowder is my favorite soup that can't be made well anywhere it's not freshly caught (sigh). This was so very mouth watering and thanks for linking the recipe. I will try it again with the resort's recipe.

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    1. You should think about a visit to the resort. . .you could catch them and cook them within hours and have a fun stay as well!

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  8. As a kid three families (including our's) would go clamming down near Bodega Bay north of San Francisco. It was sooooo much fun! And I absolutely love clam chowder, Jackie! :)

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    1. You'll have to try this recipe Mike - think you would love it. Better yet, head up to Washington and try out the clam digging as well (it is a dog friendly beach and the cabins are dog friendly as well (with towels, water/food bowls) you would be in 'dog heaven'!

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